Titans of Justice Unlimited #51 – “Titans Lost – Again Part 3”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy

IADC Headquarters(Earth 1)…

Lilith and Tom Tressor walked down a dark corridor in the IADC building. The multiple security devices and protocols made a free-spirit like Lilith a bit uncomfortable, but she knew they were necessary. The duo chatted as they walked.

“Donna and I were like sisters and she is still my best friend. Back then, neither of us knew about our past. I was overjoyed when Robin found out who she was really was, but he never was able to find many clues about where I came from. Not even the orphanage where the Clays adopted me had much to go on. Just a mysterious lady in the night left me there.” Lilith said.





“You know, the IADC has all kinds of access to records. I’m sure we could find something to help you. In the past, the IADC monitored Mr. Jupiter, unknown to him of course. Did you ever learn anything from him about your past?”





“I always felt….that he knew more that he was letting on, but I never had reason to not trust him. You all were monitoring Mr. J??”

“I’ll put an agent on it Lilith, especially since you had that vision of a mansion in Maine.” Tom replied, cutting her off.

“Thanks Tom. No idea what that vision meant. With these new powers, I get images that are hard to make out sometimes. I think with the IADC training, I’ll get the hang of it soon enough.”

Later that night, Lilith was home on the west coast. Thanks the IADC transporters, it was easy for her to make the trip from Washington D.C. to Beverly Hills in seconds. Lilith showered and slipped into bed. She read the latest US Weekly, of course Scott and Jerrica were on the cover, and then drifted off to sleep.

Hours passed. Lilith dreamed of…..Major Force? What was he doing…..a town, small….mid-west…..

“Oh no…no….” Lilith cried out. She awoke to find her bed and the entire contents of her bedroom levitating in mid-air. Lilith screamed as she felt a rush of terrified psychic energy pour over her as her bed came crashing to the floor.

The next morning, Lilith was stunned as she turned on her television. Major Force had vaporized a town in Indiana, wiping it off the map and murdering all 4,397 residents.

“That rush of energy…it was those people dying…..” Lilith gasped. “My telekinesis was going nuts too…..”

Just then, her Titans of Authority communicator went off.

“Lilith, Tom here. Get to the nearest transporter. We have a situation.”

Across town, Scott Trevor drove Connor Trevor to school.

“Thanks for the lift.” Connor said. The car the Trevors had given him for his birthday was having some custom work done.





“No worries, Connor. How’s school going? I saw that girl, Katie? She’s cute!”





“Yeah, but I’m still hesitant to get involved with anyone. What if Luthor or Brainiac---“

“Hey, don’t worry about those two. They mess with you, they answer to the entire Wonder Family. You enjoy being in high school. Have you joined any clubs or are you interested in any sports?”

“I’d like to try for basketball, but with my abilities it would almost seem like cheating. The kids here are a lot different than in Smallville. I wonder whatever happened to Simon…to Lori…” Connor said looking out the car window.

“I’ll talk to Hank and Melody. They’ve been really impressed with you down at the modeling agency. Maybe we could find something more for you to do there. Maybe even have Superboy endorse a line of fitness products or something. In fact Hank is all about some new whey protein and they were looking for a younger celebrity to endorse it. I could talk to him if you want. “ Scott said, referencing the former Hawk, Hank Hall who ran the modeling agency with his wife Melody.

Connor perked up at this idea and liked it. Suddenly his Titans of Authority communicator buzzed.

“Superboy, I need you here ASAP.” Came Tom Tressor’s voice.

“Gotta go, Scott.” Connor said, lowering the window and flying away. “Tell Jerrica I’ll be home for dinner!”

“Will do, kiddo!” Scott Trevor smiled.

Soon at IADC headquarters, Lilith, Superboy, Black Orchid, Kid Comet, Apotheosis, and Dark Arrow had assembled. They were seated around a large table as monitor screens flashed news stories of the Indiana devastation.

“IADC obtained this footage earlier today.” Tom said, pointing to a monitor.

“People of the United States. YOU have wronged me. Experimented on me, using me. I am holding the town of Midvale hostage. My quantum energy has the town under a quantum energy dome. No one gets in, no one gets out. If my demands aren’t met within 24 hours they meet the same fate as the town I destroyed in Indiana. I mean business. If the Titans of Justice try to stop me, I start killing citizens one at a time.” Came Major Force’s booming voice. He stood in the town square where the entire population of Midvale had been herded.





“To show you how serious I am…..” Major Force gestured towards a policeman. A bolt of black energy poured from his fingers, evaporating the officer. People ran screaming and hiding for cover. “Now. Have I made myself clear. I want command of the entire country’s military. I want access to Fort Knox. And I want access to all nuclear strike codes. If this does not occur within 24 hours, Midvale’s blood is on your hands, United States of America.”

***

Meanwhile at the Hall of Justice, Starman, Gold Bug, Isis, Magno, Corproal Marvel, Supergirl, and Hawk Warrior were watching the same story on the news. As acting leader, Starman had called in Supergirl and Hawk Warrior off the reserves to help bolster the team’s ranks while Power Guy and the others were in the Universe of Evil.

“He’s crazy! He’s already murdered an entire city of people and now he has Midvale!” Supergirl gasped. “We have to go. Now!”





“I agree, but we need a plan first. Major Force isn’t an easy mark.” Starman said.





Hawk Warrior spoke up, “I agree. We have to be careful and go in fully prepared. Our first priority is the safety of the hostages and the confinement of Major Force.”





“Aw, this is a snap. We go in, take him down, come out the superstars that we are.” Goldbug chimed in.





Hawk Warrior slammed his mace into the table where Goldbug sat.

“This isn’t a game. People have died. I didn’t volunteer to help a team that isn’t serious about their work.” Hawk Warrior said through gritted teeth, muscles flexed.

“Whoa there, rug-chest! You need to chill out!” Goldbug retorted.

“That’s enough!” Starman said, regaining control of the room. “I’ve sent out the priority alert and we’ll get our plan together on the way.”

“Starman, look.” Supergirl said, pointing to the main monitor. “Looks like IADC’s bloodhounds have beaten us to the punch.”

“Rank amateurs and traitors.” Goldbug huffed.

“ I said that’s enough!” Starman shouted.

Goldbug did not like Starman’s new, more serious demeanor that he had adopted as team leader. “Someone’s on a power-trip…” the legacy of both Booster Gold and second Blue Beetle mumbled under his breath.

“We better get out there. Maybe our two teams can at least agree that the capture of Major Force is a goal we both share.” Supergirl said diplomatically.

At Midvale, the Titans of Authority had already arrived.

“The psychic link is complete. I’ll guide you all the best I can.” Lilith said, staring at a monitor at IADC headquarters.

“We’re good Lilith.” Dark Arrow said. “Any idea on how to breach this dome he’s placed around the city?”





“It’s a dome he’s created out of quantum energy…weakest towards the ground…” Lilith said, concentrating.

“Say no more, Lilith.” Apotheosis smiled, placing his hands on the dome.” This should work. I should be able to absorb enough of the energy and weaken it.” Within seconds, energy was pouring off Apotheosis.





“Black Orchid and Superboy…..now!” came Lilith’s psychic voice.

Superboy and Black Orchid punched the dome where Apotheosis had started draining the energy.

“Well done!” Kid Comet said. “We’re going in. Lilith, you and I will continue to mask our arrival from Major Force via our psychic powers.”





“And Superboy and I will hit him high and low.” Black Orchid added.





“Everyone be careful and stay on your toes.” Dark Arrow said. “He’s dangerous.”

Just then Major Force noticed the dome start to quiver and change. “Impossible! Someone’s here! I warned them!” he screamed, energy pouring off his fists.

“Oh shut up!” Dark Arrow smirked, firing an arrow that sliced Major Force’s hands from his arms.

The citizens of Midvale all felt hope seeing the Titans of Authority.

“You think those trick arrows will stop me?” Major Force said as 2 new hands grew, replacing the ones he had just lost.

“Give up Major Force.” Kid Comet said from the sky, using a psychic blast.

“Get…out of….my head!!” he screamed, sending a black bolt of energy at Kid Comet, sending him flying into a tree. “Everyone dies! Now!” he screamed again, pointing his fists at the Midvale citizens.

“NO!!” Apotheosis shouted, placing himself in front of the massive black bolt. He absorbed the energy, but it was nearly too much for him. He was soon knocked unconscious as he dispelled it.

“We asked nicely….” Black Orchid smiled, flying full throttle at Major Force. Superboy flew behind her. Both of them pummeled Major Force with their fists.

“Ha, keep it up! It tickles!”

“No matter what we do, he just takes it!” Superboy said.

“Enough of you, boy!” Major Force growled, his energy covered fist smacking Superboy into a parked gas truck which erupted into flames.

“Superboy!” Dark Arrow shouted, drawing an arrow. “This better work….”he thought. “Orchid, get out of the way!”

Black Orchid flew over to Superboy as he shook off the flames and regained his composure.

The arrow flew into Major Force’s chest.

“You think some puny arrow will stop me!? I already told you…..wait…what did you do---?” Major Force gasped.

“That is an arrow attuned to quantum energy. Right about now, you should be having a quantum sized stroke!” Dark Arrow smiled.

“No, you will not stop me!” Major Force said, struggling to remove the arrow as energy escaped from his alloy-coated skin.

The team heard Lilith’s psychic voice. “Reinforcements incoming.” She said.

Just then, Jo Jo Gardner and Black Adam arrived.

***

Back at the Hall of Justice, Isis gasped at seeing her husband's arrival.

"Adam? What's he doing there?!" she exclaimed.





"Isis, what's going on? When did he join the Titans of Authority?" Starman demanded.

"I don't know, but I intend to find out!"

“Don’t worry, Adrianna, I’m sure Adam has a good explanation,” Corporal Marvel offered to his friend.





“I hope you’re right, Freddie,” Isis replied, panic all over her face.

***

“Looks like I arrived just in time!” Jo Jo grinned, pointing his ring at Major Force.

“I…WILL…KILL….” Major Force grunted.

“YAWN, blah, blah, blah…”Jo Jo smirked, creating shackles made of green which attached to Major Force’s hands and ankles causing him to drop to the ground.





“Just enough power….” Major Force thought as he saw Apotheosis out of the corner of his eye. Apotheosis was shaking off the effects of absorbing the black quantum energy and was a bit unsteady on his feet.

Before he could fire at the disoriented Titan, Black Adam slammed into the ground next to him. The Egyptian powerhouse then took Major Force’s head in his hands, twisting his neck as a loud snap was heard.

“You will hurt no one else today.” Black Adam whispered.





“Adam!!! What did you do??” Kid Comet screamed. “He was down!”

“He was also about to fry Apotheosis!” Dark Arrow said, trying to calm down his teammate.

“Do not worry. I did not kill him.” Black Adam said, walking towards the group. He is still alive, but immobile. “

The team heard Lilith’s voice. “Confirmed. Major Force is still alive but he’s paralyzed.”

Just then, all the inhabitants of Midvale erupted into applause. An elderly lady ambled over to Black Adam and tugged on his shoulder.

“What is it old woman?” he said lowering his head to look her in the eye.

She kissed his cheek. “Thank you…thank you for saving us…our town, she said with tears in her eye. “He would have killed us all.”

Black Adam took her hands in his. “He will hurt your town or your citizens no more.”

Soon, IADC field units were all over Midvale. Major Force was on a stretcher, his neck in a brace.

“Good work Adam.” Tom said.

“Good work?” Kid Comet said. “Don’t you think what he did was excessive? I mean, we almost had him under control….”

“Kid Comet, were you listening during this morning’s briefing? Major Force vaporized an entire town, even killed a policeman here. He had no morals. He would have killed us all given the chance.” Black Orchid said.

“And he was about to kill me.” Added Apotheosis. “Thank God Black Adam was here.”

“Hey, KC. I’m not on board with killing….but Major Force was no joke. His powers are destructive. I think Black Adam was right in what he did.” Superboy offered, remembering how Ma Kent was murdered.

“Well…I wish I felt better about this…” Kid Comet said.

‘Well, I wish you did too. Would you rather it was ME on that stretcher?!?!?!” Apotheosis shouted right before walking away.

“So SB, we going to hit up all the hot spots in Beverly Hills, get some beer, hit up some hos?” Jo Jo Gardner said.

Superboy stared at the cocky young man. “We may be teammates but we are not friends.” He said, walking away.

“Aw shove it Smallville. Now that you’re in Beverly Hills you’re all stuck up?” Jo Jo said.

Black Orchid said, “Back off lame-o. I wouldn’t even take your money if I still danced.”

Back at the Hall of Justice, Starman and his team watched the news on several monitors. All the major networks had covered the Major Force story.

“Julia Ryder here with Midvale city councilperson, Irma Forte. What can you tell us about today’s events?”

“I for one am glad that the Titans of Authority helped save us and save our town.”

“And what are your thoughts on their more aggressive tactics?” asked the woman also known as Miss Creeper.





“Well, if not for them we’d all be dead. I think our protectors should become more aggressive and stop these villains permanently. Our world is changing. The villains more ruthless….the world is chaging. More effective measures must be put in place to deal with these….these villains. If Major Force had been dealt with years ago, that city in Indiana would still be with us today and our town would not have suffered.”

“Certainly looks like the Titans of Authority are making fans.” Supergirl said.

“Check this story out.” Starman said, gesturing towards another screen.

“Lois Lane-Kent here with longtime Metropolis resident Murphy Swan. Murphy, I understand your granddaughter lived in the Indiana town that was destroyed by Major Force.”





“Yes, she did. She was a nurse…murdered by that..mad man.”

“Do you agree or disagree that our heroes need to become more proactive? Or would you say they are vigilantes, taking the law into their own hands?”

“All I know is this. My granddaughter and thousands of others died needlessly. How many times has Metropolis been attacked? Gotham City? Someone needs to step up and take these..these monsters down before they harm others. I think the world needs the Titans of Authority.”

Goldbug turned off the monitors. “Well, they certainly didn’t need us.”

“Maybe we should have went on to Midvale.” Added Hawk Warrior.

“No. Something told me they had the situation under control. I wanted to see how they reacted. I certainly didn’t anticipate Black Adam showing up and stopping Major Force the way he did.” Starman said, seeming preoccupied.

“I don’t know how I feel about Superboy getting mixed up with them. He’s only been back a little while….” Supergirl said.

“Hey, if the Authority gang keep it up, it’ll make our jobs a lot easier.” Goldbug laughed. “Let them handle the baddies and take the flack.”

Hawk Warrior stared with disgust at the flippant young man and walked away.

Isis stormed off to question her husband while Corporal Marvel looked down at Tawky Tawny with great concern over the day’s events.

***

Days later at IADC headquarters…

“So you see, Kid Comet. This is not a case of excessive course. The president himself said he saw nothing wrong with what Black Adam did. In fact, thanks to Black Adam, Major Force is completely disabled. They are even working on a way to remove the alloy from his skin. Once that is done, he’ll stand trial for his crimes.” Tom Tressor explained.

“I guess so. Still, how did Black Adam know he wouldn’t kill him. He snapped his neck!” Kid Comment replied.

“Major Force’s powers are almost limitless. I briefed Black Adam before sending him out. Nothing short of a full on nuclear blast could kill him. Snapping his neck was like breaking an arm for you or me. It was enough to paralyze him. A small punishment for all he has done to the citizens of Indiana…and Midvale, wouldn’t you say? Besides, the paralysis is only temporary. That’s why it is so important that our scientists move so quickly to remove the alloy.”

“I see now. I just don’t want to join a team that resorts to unnecessary violence. Thanks for your time.” Kid Comet said, shaking Tom’s hand. As Kid Comet started to leave, he could hear Major Force’s screams as the alloy was stripped away, sections at a time.

“Serves that b*stard right.” Dark Arrow replied, brushing by Kid Comet.

“Uhh…..Yeah.” Kid Comet quietly said.


TO BE CONTINUED!